Fifth Quarter Notes: Efficient Cavaliers beat Cards

Tyler McLaughlin didn't have eye-popping stats in Friday's 37-12 victory over Pocono Mountain East, but the Cavaliers senior quarterback was very efficient.

Staff reports

EAST STROUDSBURG — Tyler McLaughlin didn't have eye-popping stats in Friday's 37-12 victory over Pocono Mountain East, but the Cavaliers senior quarterback was very efficient.

McLaughlin completed 7-of-15 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns, a 9-yard strike to Sherrod Ford-Cherry in the first quarter and a 28-yard hook up with Zee Roberson in the second quarter. McLaughlin, who also ran for 53 yards, also found Roberson for a key two-point conversion in the first quarter.

Defensively, ES South gave up some yards on the ground, but made things tough on East QB Evan Fardella. The senior was held to just four completions on 14 attempts and was constantly chased out of the pocket by the Cavs' D-line and blitzers.

Stanley Acosta had a sack for South, while Benny Nieves set up South's final touchdown with an interception.

— Joe Miegoc

EAST STROUDSBURG — Devyn Papa turned in another fine effort in an otherwise disappointing 37-12 loss to East Stroudsburg South on Friday night.

The junior tailback ran for 128 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries.

Wide receiver Kyle Harris had a nice game, catching four passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Harris also intercepted a pass.

Defensively, Ryan Clancey had a sack for the Cardinals and Justin Bullock had a fumble recovery.

— Joe Miegoc

STROUDSBURG — While most football fans in the area are used to seeing the Mounties succeed, they did so Friday night in a way most aren't used to.

Stroudsburg was able to capitalize on seven critical turnovers by Allen, three of them being interceptions by linebacker Phil Stokes, en route to a 41-0 victory over the Canaries.

"I was very disappointed; we didn't play very well," Stroudsburg coach Joe Bernard said. "We were opportunistic defensively. Phil Stokes had a monster game, and he just did a tremendous job."

Stokes was productive on both sides of the ball.

With three interceptions defensively and two rushing touchdowns, he was clearly the standout player.

"He gave us whatever little momentum we had," Bernard said. "Obviously, moving him to tailback in goal line, we did that this week, and he did a fantastic job."

Bernard's team did win with authority over Allen, but his offense didn't contribute nearly as much to the win as one would expect.

The Mounties "shot (themselves) in the foot" by suffering from penalty after penalty, whether it be a hold, an illegal block or a false start. Altarique Mosley-Dew, who ran for 140 yards on 18 carries, would've had much more yardage had it not been for the penalties that plagued his team.

Luckily for Stroudsburg, Stokes and the rest of its defense stood strong enough to hold Allen scoreless, fittingly ending the game with Ramon Lopez intercepting the Canaries one last time as time expired, running it back for a 52-yard touchdown.

— Zach Sturniolo

BUSHKILL — Lorenzo Melchiorre and Kyle Huziarski each picked the same night to have one of their best games as Eastburg North beat Pocono West 47-25.

Melchiorre, a wing, ran for 97 yards and three touchdowns, and he caught two passes for 27 yards and a fourth touchdown. Melchiorre gave the Timberwolves a huge boost on the edge, showing off his speed and keeping the Panthers' defense honest. While fullback David Allbaugh was plowing his way to 197 yards up the middle, Melchiorre did most of his damage outside.

And then there's Huziarski, who made the play of the night. Huziarski's 91-yard fumble return for a touchdown not only gave North a 21-7 lead, it gave the Timberwolves confidence.

— Mike Kuhns

BUSHKILL — The more Pocono West leans on the passing game, the more talent and chemistry fans can see between quarterback Jeff Krisiak and his receivers.

Friday night's 47-25 loss to ES North may sting some for the Panthers, but clearly Krisiak and the receiving corps are keeping West in games. The senior threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns, but a lost fumble inside North's 10-yard line, which was returned for a touchdown, was a backbreaker.

Jordan Hardy's night — a terrific 159 yards receiving and two touchdowns — was very impressive as was Matt Shelter's 99 yards on six catches.

Credit Pocono West's offensive line for giving Krisiak the time to throw as well.